For most students, summer vacation -- and the 4th of July long weekend -- is dedicated to friends, family, food and fun. But it can also be a great opportunity to volunteer, as more than 1,200 college students are finding out via Hope Worldwide's Rebuild the City weekend coming up in New Orleans.
On July 4, students from more than 150 colleges and universities will be cleaning up more than 100 empty lots in the Lower Ninth Ward of the city, one of the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina; the day will end with a special ceremony in the ward's Buck Park, welcoming back thousands of displaced residents to a neighborhood that's ready for real rebuilding.
Scholarship America, through our Dollars for Scholars chapters and disaster relief programs, was able to help hundreds of Katrina's displaced continue their college educations, and we're delighted that so many students -- not just from the area, but from across the country -- are willing to donate their time over a long summer weekend to continue to give back.
For more information on the program, visit Hope Worldwide's site at HOPEww.org.
On July 4, students from more than 150 colleges and universities will be cleaning up more than 100 empty lots in the Lower Ninth Ward of the city, one of the areas hardest hit by Hurricane Katrina; the day will end with a special ceremony in the ward's Buck Park, welcoming back thousands of displaced residents to a neighborhood that's ready for real rebuilding.
Scholarship America, through our Dollars for Scholars chapters and disaster relief programs, was able to help hundreds of Katrina's displaced continue their college educations, and we're delighted that so many students -- not just from the area, but from across the country -- are willing to donate their time over a long summer weekend to continue to give back.
For more information on the program, visit Hope Worldwide's site at HOPEww.org.
Fall River, Massachusetts, is the original home of Scholarship America and Dollars for Scholars; fifty years ago, local optometrist Irving Fradkin started what would become the nation's largest non-profit, private-sector scholarship organization. Last week, the city celebrated, with a luncheon featuring speeches from Dr. Fradkin, Scholarship America board chair Mim Schreck, Fall River mayor Robert Correia and Margot Tyler of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. As Dr. Fradkin pointed out: "Democracy rests on three things. Education, education, education. Once upon a time all you needed was a strong back, but now, we need to compete globally."
You can find more wise words from our founder, and high praise from fellow participants, by reading the full story in the Fall River Spirit.
09/06: Stressed Students
As Anne Applebaum points out in Slate, high school students are stressed like never before. Between high college costs, increasingly competitive admissions and the balance of work, school and social life, juniors and seniors have more on their minds than even their older siblings or cousins from less than a generation ago.
If you're a student or a parent stressing out about upcoming educational milestones, check out Scholarship America's Application Tips and other Student Resources, which can help you find scholarships, find advice and make sure those applications stand out. The application process is hard, and we're here to help.
We'd also love to know your tips and tricks for beating stress -- if you're applying to college, applying for scholarships or helping students yourself, leave us a comment and let us know how you keep things in perspective!
If you're a student or a parent stressing out about upcoming educational milestones, check out Scholarship America's Application Tips and other Student Resources, which can help you find scholarships, find advice and make sure those applications stand out. The application process is hard, and we're here to help.
We'd also love to know your tips and tricks for beating stress -- if you're applying to college, applying for scholarships or helping students yourself, leave us a comment and let us know how you keep things in perspective!
Ralph "Cy" Seifert has been around Scholarship America since our earliest days as a coalition of community scholarship foundations in New England. Our founder, Irving Fradkin, awarded Cy a Dollars for Scholars scholarship in 1961, which helped him attend Brown University; since then, Cy has been a tireless organizer of chapters, and has served as president of Scholarship America, chair of our board, and, currently, as an Honor Roll Trustee.
Cy addressed the recent meeting of our Board of Trustees, and his speech is now available, in its entirety, on Scholarship America's YouTube Channel. Head on over and check it out, for a highly amusing and insightful look at Scholarship America's history.
Cy addressed the recent meeting of our Board of Trustees, and his speech is now available, in its entirety, on Scholarship America's YouTube Channel. Head on over and check it out, for a highly amusing and insightful look at Scholarship America's history.
ThanksUSA began in 2005 as an idea by two Virginia schoolgirls, Rachel and Kelsi Okun, who wanted a way to thank active-duty troops throughout the U.S. Armed Forces. The girls, with help from their parents and a small group of adults, developed the idea to raise funds for need-based scholarships for the children and spouses of active-duty military personnel. ThanksUSA was created as a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization to raise and award scholarships to these families. Scholarship America is proud to manage the application and awards process for ThanksUSA, which has to date awarded more than 1,350 scholarships for nearly $4 million.
The centerpiece of ThanksUSA is an annual "American History Treasure Hunt," which raises funds for scholarships as well as awareness of the organization, and offers prizes ranging from gift certificates to laptops. The third annual Treasure Hunt is going on now through August 15, so there's still time to play, or gear up for next year's hunt.
In addition, ThanksUSA is hosting a Pro-Am Tennis Tournament later this month, and is looking for players who'd like to have a great time helping a great cause. The tournament will take place on June 16 in Arlington, Virginia; for more information, contact Michele Stork at ThanksUSA. Once again, Scholarship America is proud to play a part in helping ThanksUSA thank those who serve, and to help them provide the gift of education.
The centerpiece of ThanksUSA is an annual "American History Treasure Hunt," which raises funds for scholarships as well as awareness of the organization, and offers prizes ranging from gift certificates to laptops. The third annual Treasure Hunt is going on now through August 15, so there's still time to play, or gear up for next year's hunt.
In addition, ThanksUSA is hosting a Pro-Am Tennis Tournament later this month, and is looking for players who'd like to have a great time helping a great cause. The tournament will take place on June 16 in Arlington, Virginia; for more information, contact Michele Stork at ThanksUSA. Once again, Scholarship America is proud to play a part in helping ThanksUSA thank those who serve, and to help them provide the gift of education.
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